Measuring means for pole vaulter

ABSTRACT

A measuring structure adapted to be utilized with a conventional vaulting pole preliminary to vaulting to assure a predetermined horizontal spacing of an elevated cross bar forward of a designated pivot ground point. The measuring structure includes an opening in the pole and a measuring element which is adjustable and also preferably contains measurement increments marked thereon.

United States Patent Tomlinson June 11, 1974 MEASURING MEANS FOR POLEVAULTER [75] Inventor: John R. Tomlinson, Long Beach,

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Joseph R. TaylorAltorney, Agent, or Firm-Huebner & Worrel [5 7] ABSTRACT A measuringstructure adapted to be utilized with a conventional vaulting polepreliminary to vaulting to assure a predetermined horizontal spacing ofan elevated cross bar forward of a designated pivot ground point.

The measuring structure includes an opening in the pole and a measuringelement which is adjustable along the opening and removable from thepole and also preferably contains measurement increments marked thereon.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 MEASURING MEANS FOR POLE VAULTERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the sport of pole vaulting thepositioning of the conventional cross bar suspended between a pair ofvertical standards can become quite critical to the vaulter. Thepositioning is relative to the pole vault box, where the vaulting polewill pivot upward.

As is known the pole vaulting area and equipment includes a relativelylong runway and at the end thereof a conventional pole vault box is setin the ground. The box includes a downward inclined bottom whichintersects a vertical backwall. The athlete runs down the runway, plantsthe end of the pole in the box at the intersection pushing upwardly onthe pole so the pole pivots upwardly propelling the athlete upward overthe cross bar.

During the upward pivoting of the pole it is also necessary for theathlete to pull his body upward higher than the length of the pole. Ifthe cross bar is too close to a vertical plane projected upwardly fromthe vertical back wall of the pole vault box the athlete may hit thecross bar with his feet thus knocking it off the standards. If, on theother hand, the cross bar is too far forward of the vertical plane ofthe back wall of the pole vault box gravity and momentum will cause theathlete to drop his feet or body on to the cross bar and again knock itoff the standards.

By most track and field rules the cross bar may be longitudinallyshifted forward from the vertical plane projecting from the verticalback wall of the pole vault box a maximum of four feet.

The longitudinal positioning of the cross bar depends upon variouscircumstances, such as the height and weight of the athlete, theelevation of the cross bar and in outdoor vaulting the direction andspeed of the wind.

Heretofore the setting of the cross bar forwardly of or on the verticalplane projecting from the vertical back wall of the pole vault box hasalways been by line of sight. The vaulter has stood over the pole vaultbox and looked upward and visually attempted to calculate whether thecross bar and in turn the standards should be moved to achieve thedesired location. This method has provded to be merely guess work and anapproxi mation and if, as is customary, the standards are shifted foranother vaulter than the resetting for the first vaulter again is onlyan approximation of his first setting. As can be appreciated with thedevelopment of new vaulting poles and techniques of vaulting a moreexacting setting must be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is a new measuringmeans which achieves exact settings of the spacing any time the vaulterwishes.

Once the vaulter has determined from past experience or duringpreliminary trails the correct spacing sufiicient to his needs themeasuring means of this invention may be utilized to achieve exactmeasurement each time.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a passage through theelongated vaulting pole normal to the longitudinal axis thereof and anelongated measuring element slidably positioned in the guide passagewhich is frictionally retainable at a predetermined setting. In otherwords, if the athlete decides the cross bar should be 24 inches forwardof a vertical plane struck from the vertical back wall of the box, hemoves the measuring element to the desired increment reading placed onthe element. He then vertically places the pole in the box against theback wall and the measuring guide is directed forward toward the crossbar. The vertical standards may then be moved so the cross bar isvertically aligned with the end of the measuring guide.

These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparentfrom the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevationalenvironmental view of pole vaulting equipment and the measuring meansconstituting the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view partly in section taken on line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view partly in section taken on line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG: 5 illustrates a modified guide and holding means; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a further modified guide and holding means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There is illustratedin FIG. 1 conventional equipment and area utilized in the sport of polevaulting and included therein is the measuring means which is thesubject of this invention. The normal pole vaulting area and equipmentincludes a runway or base 10, a pole vault box generally designated 12and a pair of vertical standards 14 and 16 which are laterally spacednormal to the axis of the runway 10. Each of the vertical standards 14and 16 include cross bar rests 18 projecting on the side opposite therunway 10 and pole vault box 12. Suspended between the verticalstandards 14 and 16 on the cross bar rests 18 is a conventional crossbar 20 which is preferably triangular in shape so that it may remain inposition as illustrated in FIG. 1 and not be susceptible to dislodgementby wind or slight movement particularly during outdoor track and fieldevents, yet if hit by a vaulter will be dislodged.

Adjacent to the standards 14 and 16 is the landing area generallydesignated 22 which is made of polyurethane foam retained within aplastic or canvas envelope 24 normally secured to the ground to preventmovement thereof. The height is sufficient to break the fall of thevaulter and prevent injury.

Referring again to the standards 14 and 16, the base 26 may bephysically moved along the axis of the runway 10 or in some of the moremodern vertical standards the base will remain fixed and the verticalstandards then may be shiftable. However, the means employed to causethe shifting is immaterial just as long as they can be shifted, which inturn will cause the proper cross bar location.

Additionally, there is illustrated a conventional vaulting pole 28 whichincludes a bottom end 30, top end 32 and is preferably made of hollowtubular fiberglass structure. Additionally, a top cap 33 may be placedover the top end 32 to prevent entry of foreign material. This structurewill enable the vaulter to get more kick to his vault and furnishes avery resilient structure for vaulting. However, the construction of thevaulting pole 28 is not critical and the measuring means can be utilizedwith any type of pole 28 no matter of what material it is constructed.

Under most rules governing pole vaulting, the vaulter is allowed to havethe cross bar 20 shifted forwardly of the pole vault box 12 a distanceno greater than four feet. Because of the fact that vaulters differ inheight and weight and the elevation of the cross bar from the groundeach vaulter attempts to regulate the distance so as to afford him thebest physical and psychological opportunity to complete a successfulpole vault.

The pole vault box 12 is mounted into the head or forward end of therunway and includes a downwardly inclined bottom 38 which intersects avertically extending back wall 40 which normally is six inches inheight. On either side of the bottom 38 and extending from the bottom 38to the back wall 40 are spaced apart parallel side walls 42, one ofwhich is illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, the pole vault box 12 becomes achannel in which the bottom end 30 of the pole 28 is lodged at theintersection which becomes the pivot point or base pivot point for thevault.

To undertake the vault, the vaulter 36 grasping the vaulting pole 28which is normally eighteen feet in length adjacent the top end 32thereof will move rearwardly on the runway 10 to a desired location andthen running with the vaulting pole 28 in a generally horizontalposition will plant the bottom end 30 within the pole vault box 12 atthe intersection of the bottom 38 and back wall 40 causing the pole topivot upwardly whereby the vaulter will then swing his feet and pushupwardly and over the cross bar landing on the landing area 22 andpushing the pole 28 rearwardly so as not to hit the cross bar 20.

The subject of this invention as aforementioned is measuring meansgenerally designated 34. Preferably there is a guide and holding meansgenerally designated 44, and a measuring element 46 retained therein.The guide and holding means 44 may be permanently built into the pole 28which is normally of hollow tubular construction, see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.In such a case the pole 28 is diametrically bored preferably adjacentthe top end 32 forming aligned bores 48 and 50. Inserted through thepole 28 within the bores 48 and 50 is a tubular sleeve 52 which is cutoff flush with the exterior 53 of the vaulting pole 28. There is anannular passage 54 extending therethrough normal to the axis of pole 28.

If, on the other hand, it is not desired to disrupt the pole 28 byboring therethrough, the modified guide and holding means 44 may beutilized, see FIG. 5. Here a cap 55 having a generally elongatedflattened extension 58 may be provided to fit over the end 32 of thepole 28 and then removed when'the measuring has been accomplished. Theextension 58 is bored forming an annular passage 54' normal to the axisof the pole 28.

While the embodiment of FIG. 5 is one form of modified guide and holdingmeans 44', it should be appreciated that the cap 55 does not necessarilyrequire an extension 58, but that any configuration of cap 55 which caninclude a straight passage 54' therethrough will accomplish the desiredresults.

Inserted through the passage 54 or 54 is the measuring element 46. Themeasuring element 46 includes a rod 56 which is elongated and preferablyround and may be either solid or hollow. The diameter of the rod 56 isslightly less than the diameter of passage 54 or 54' so that it may beslid back and forth within the passage for proper positioning, and willbe frictionally main- 5 tained therein.

Preferably placed on the end 59 of the rod 54 is a referencing cap 60 ofcontrasting color for ease of viewing, and of a larger diameter thansaid rod. Additionally, the rod 56 is preferably provided with aplurality of measurement increments 62. Additionally, other indicia maybe placed thereon such a 3 ins. 6 ins. l8 ins", etc.

Once the measuring element 46 has been properly positioned in the guideand holding means 44, the vaulter 36 will then slide the tubular rod 56outwardly of the pole 28 to the appropriate marking. This, of course, isan individual choice depending upon the athlete or vaulter. Therefore,if the vaulter recognizes that his best effort can be made with thecross bar, 24 inches ahead of the rear wall 40 of the pole vault box 12,he will then move the rod 56 forward to the24 inch increment. At thatpoint he will then proceed to the vaulting area, placing the pole 28with the bottom end 30 in the pole vault box 12 such as is shown in FIG.l. The rod 56 is extended forwardly and at that point he then willinstruct helpers to shift the vertical standards 14 and 16 forwardly orrearwardly so that the referencing cap 60 is vertically aligned with thecross bar 20.

The illustration in FIG. 1 shows the cross bar almost horizontallyaligned with the rod 56 of the measuring guide 34. However, in actualpractice, the cross bar is normally lower than is illustrated and insuch a case it is merely a matter of having the vaulter or his coachstand between the two vertical standards 14 and 16 and sight upwardly sothat the referencing cap 60 will be vertically aligned with the crossbar 20.

The tubular rod 56 is then removed from the vaulting pole 28 or the rod56 and guide and holding means 44 are removed and the vaulter or athlete36 may proceed with his vault.

The invention is particularly useful in a track and field meet whenthere are a number of vaulters who are utilizing the same vaultingequipment and each athlete requiring the cross bar to be shifted to hisindividual requirement. Heretofore, there has never been an accuratemeans of positioning the cross bar exactly where the vaulter wants it tobe each time it comes his turn to vault. However, with the presentinvention the guess work has been removed and the exact setting for thevaulter may be obtained each time that it is his turn to participate.

It should also be noted in the preferred embodiment the positioning ofthe sleeve 52 adjacent the end 32 of the vaulting pole 28 is far enoughabove the normal area held by a vaulter that there is no undue strain onthe pole or weakening thereof which could cause its breakage during avault.

In FIG. 6 the invention is illustrated positioned above the placement ofFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In this modification the sleeve 52 is positioned asclose as practical to the end 32 of the pole 28. The cap 33 overlies thesleeve 52 and is provided with opposed openings 62 which are alignedwith the bore of sleeve 52. Preferably the openings 62 correspond indiameter with the diameter of rod 56 so that when inserted the rod 56will be frictionally maintained in position until it is removed justprior to vaulting.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in what I haveconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of myinvention.

1 claim:

1. In the combination of a pole vault box having a back vertical wall, apair of laterally spaced standards longitudinally translatable relativeto said pole vault box and a transverse cross bar supportablebetweensaid standards, the improvement comprising guide and holding meansassociated with a vaulting pole having an elongated axis, said meansincluding a guide passage therethrough normal to the longitudinal axisof said pole, and a measuring element slidably positioned in the guidepassage and frictionally retainable at a predetermined setting wherebyan athlete may hold the pole vertically in the pole vault box with themeasuring element directed toward the vertical plane of said cross barand thereby indicate the desired horizontal spacing between the verticalplane of said pole and the vertical plane of said cross bar.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said guide and holding meansincludes a cap adapted to fit over the end of said pole and said guidepassage extends through said cap.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said cap overlies said guidepassage, and said cap is provided with opposed openings aligned withsaid guide passage creating an unobstructed passage through said poleand said cap.

4. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said cap includes an extensionextending therefrom and said guide passage extends therethrough.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said measuring element is anelongated rod whose diameter is slightly less than the diameter of saidguide passage and whereby said rod is slidable therein and frictionallyreleasably maintained therein.

6. The improvement of claim 5 wherein said rod includes measurementincrements therealong.

7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein said rod in cludes a referencingcap on an end thereof.

1. In the combination of a pole vault box having a back vertical wall, apair of laterally spaced standards longitudinally translatable relativeto said pole vault box and a transverse cross bar supportable betweensaid standards, the improvement comprising guide and holding meansassociated with a vaulting pole having an elongated axis, said meansincluding a guide passage therethrough normal to the longitudinal axisof said pole, and a measuring element slidably positioned in the guidepassage and frictionally retainable at a predetermined setting wherebyan athlete may hold the pole vertically in the pole vault box with themeasuring element directed toward the vertical plane of said cross barand thereby indicate the desired horizontal spacing between the verticalplane of said pole and the vertical plane of said cross bar.
 2. Theimprovement of claim 1 wherein said guide and holding means includes acap adapted to fit over the end of said pole and said guide passageextends through said cap.
 3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said capoverlies said guide passage, and said cap is provided with opposedopenings aligned with said guide passage creating an unobstructedpassage through said pole and said cap.
 4. The improvement of claim 2wherein said cap includes an extension extending therefrom and saidguide passage extends therethrough.
 5. The improvement of claim 1wherein said measuring element is an elongated rod whose diameter isslightly less than the diameter of said guide passage and whereby saidrod is slidable therein and frictionally releasably maintained therein.6. ThE improvement of claim 5 wherein said rod includes measurementincrements therealong.
 7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein said rodincludes a referencing cap on an end thereof.